Aberdeen Stages Set For More Comedy with McCabe, Nelson and Kearns
Three comics with very different styles bring new stand-up shows to the Granite City in 2026.
Aberdeen audiences have plenty to laugh about next year, as three leading comics have announced new shows in the city. Susie McCabe, Mark Nelson and John Kearns will each bring their latest tours north, landing across the first nine months of 2026.
The three comics offer very different styles of stand-up. McCabe mixes political edge with everyday humour, Nelson brings finely crafted punchlines with a darker twist, and Kearns is known for his surreal and poetic digressions. Together, their visits highlight how much variety will be on offer for local comedy fans.
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Susie McCabe on her Best Behaviour
Susie McCabe will return to the Tivoli Theatre on Thursday 9 April 2026 with Best Behaviour. Fresh from a series of sold-out shows, McCabe has become one of Scotland’s most acclaimed comics, winning the Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award and building a devoted following.
Her style blends sharp observations with humour rooted in real life. She has appeared on Have I Got News For You and News Quiz, and co-hosts the podcast Here Comes The Guillotine alongside Frankie Boyle and Christopher Macarthur Boyd. With Best Behaviour, she continues her knack for drawing big laughs while holding up a mirror to the world around her.
Mark Nelson returns with Liquid Gold
Mark Nelson will headline the Tivoli Theatre on Saturday 14 February 2026 with Liquid Gold, a new show that combines precision punchlines with social commentary. Known for BBC’s The Good, The Bad & The Unexpected, he has built a following that reaches far beyond live gigs.
Nelson has also played to audiences as far afield as Australia, New York and Dubai, giving his work a reach well beyond Scotland. For Aberdeen audiences, Liquid Gold will see him explore themes of fatherhood, modern masculinity and current affairs in his dry, direct style.
John Kearns heads North with Tilting At Windmills
Later in the year, Taskmaster alumnus John Kearns will appear at The Lemon Tree on Tuesday 29 September 2026 with his new hour Tilting at Windmills. Kearns is the only comedian to have won both Best Show and Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, marking him out as a singular voice in British stand-up.
His last tour The Varnishing Days sold out venues across the UK and was released as a special on Sky. With Tilting at Windmills, he continues to circle around the oddities of modern life, weaving together reflections in a way that is both offbeat and carefully constructed.
A strong year for comedy in the city
Taken together, these shows show how busy 2026 will be for comedy in Aberdeen. Each performer has carved out a distinctive style, and all three will bring their latest material to local stages within months of each other.
The variety is striking: McCabe’s social bite, Nelson’s sharp lines and Kearns’ surreal rambles will each appeal in different ways. For audiences, it means the chance to see three very different approaches to stand-up.
